Coupler attachment



Patented AugaZl, 1928.

1,681,782 T OFFICE.

VJOI-IN A. PILCHER, F ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.

COUPLER ATTACHMENT.

Application led September 1, 1922,' Serial No'. 585,771.

This invention relates to railway cars and draft gears therefor. e 1

One object ofthe invention is to provide a v coupler attachment rotatively secured to a coupler, and to ak cushioning mechanisml in such a manner as to permit angling of the coupler relative to the attachment and ang-v lingof the attachment relative to the cushioning mechanism.` In the usual form of cou-- pler attachment used heretofore, which has been a yoke, bending stresses are set up in the attachment when the pull on the coupler is out of line with the axis of the cushioning mechanism. In my invention the coupler attachment, which comprises a pair of links,4

being rotatively rsecured to the cushioning mechanism, the axis of the coupler and the coupler attachment will remain in line during pulling and this bending stress removed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupler attachment which `may be interlocked with a coupler and a cushioning i mechanism by movement of the coupler and the cushioning mechanism relative to the attacliinent.

A still furtherk object of the invention is to provide a coupler attachment in which the usual rear follower block is dispensed with, thereby providing a lighter and cheaper construction and yet one as strong as the yoke which has been usually employed heretofore;

My invention also consists in the cooperation and arrangement of parts which I shall hereinafter describe and claim.

This application is a continuation inpart of my (zo-pending application filed April 12, 1921, Serial Number 462,082.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan showing an attachment embodying my invention in position in the underfraining of a car; Figure 2 is an elevation thereof; Figure 3 is a plan showing the method of positioning the attachment,coupler, and cushioning mechanism after they have been locked together before applying to car.

Referring to the drawings, the coupler attachment is comprised of an upper link 1 and a lower link 2, each of which has a vertically disposed slot- 3 extending therethrough of substantially the same width from end to end of the link. The coupler butt 4 on its top and bottom surfaces is provided with circular extensions 5 each of which has laterally eX- tending lugs 6 arrangedat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the coupler. The cushioning mechanism 7 is n equipped with Renewed .Tune 26, 1928.

trunnions 8 and laterally extending lugs 9 w similar to the trunnions 5 and `lugs 6 on the coupler butt. The slots 3 in the ends ofthe links land 2; are arc-shaped and provide bearings 10 for the `trunnions 5 and 8 on the coupler butt 4 and cushioning mechanism 7, respectively.V Thus substantial pulling bearings are provided between thecoupler and the links 1 and 2 and between the links 1 and 2and the cushioning mechanism 7, and at the same time the coupler may angle relative to the links and the links relativeto the cushioning mechanism. The rear face of the coupler butt 4 and the forward face of the follower blockll preferably have corresponding arcshaped faces to permit the Stresses of buiiing to be transmitted directly ,from thecoupler to the cushioning mechanism, regardless of the particular position to which the coupler may angle laterally with respect to the links. The tangential surface leading away from the arc-shaped forward face on the follower `11 also serves to guide the coupler butt back into position after it has been pulled away from the follower' during draft.

The coupler, cushioning mechanism, links and .front follower are assembled before placing in the car. The coupler and cushioning mechanism are placed side by side with the lugs 6 and 9 lined up so that the links can be passed over them at the same time. The p coupler'is then turned until` its axis coincides with the `axis of the links. Then the follower is placed with its forward face against the rear face of the coupler butt and turned at an angle to its normal position as shown in Fig. 3. The cushioning mechanism is then turned until its forward face comes in contact with the rear face of the follower and from this position the cushioning mechanism and follower may be forced snugly into their normal position, placing the `cushioning mechanism under slight compression.

After the mechanism has been assembled it is thenl elevated into position on the car. Beneath the coupler butt and the rear end of the cushioning mechanismv is a bottom plate of any preferred form, detachably connected to the car frame, which forms a bearing for the lower lugs 6 andv9 on thecoupler butt and cushioning mechanism, respectively, and holds the corresponding upper lugs near the top plate 12, thereby limiting thevertical stops 13 are tapered slightly, as are the corresponding faces of the follower 11 to allow the edges of the follower 1l to ent-er the space clear of the edges of the stops and thereby. permit the easy application of the mechanism to the car.

Thus I have invented a coupler attachment which is relieved from the usual lateral bending stresses to which a U-fshaped yoke is ordinarily subjected when the pull is out of line with the aXis of the yoke, one of fewer parts and of lighter weight than the usual yoke form and one which may be secured to the other members of the draft mechanisinbyv relative movement therewith. i

It is my intention to cover all modifications of the invention falling Lwithin the spirit and scope of the following claims:

I claim: f

1. In a device of the character described, al

coupler attachment comprising upper and lower links, a coupler the butt thereof `having a slot and proJection engagement with the forward ends of the links and also having an` arc-shaped rear face, a cushioning mechanism including a friction member, said member having a slot and projection engagement with the backward ends` of the links, a follower `having anl arc-shaped` forward face cooperating with the rear face of the coupler butt,`the follower being capable of rotation about said coupler butt to permit `the easy vinsertion'of the cushioning mechanism belinks and between links and cushioning mechanism, `and meanslforfholding thel links on said trunnions.

l 3. In adevice of the class described, a` coupler attachmentcomprising slotted upper and lower links, a coupler having apulling.

connection in slots `in the forward ends of said links, and a cushioning mechanism having trunnions onfthe top and bottoni sur-` faces thereof 'engaging said upper andlower links and providing rotary and longitudinal v movement between said coupler and cushioningmechanism.

f; JOHN A. PILCHER l 

